T

he Romans’ impact on European history and knowledge in general has been profound and still today attracts growing numbers of tourists to visit Rome, Venice and Florence making them the top three most popular destinations in the country, which itself is the fifth most visited country in the world.

The beautiful Trevi Fountain in Rome

Italy has given the world renaissance art, incredible architecture and beautiful opera. It still today has so much history and culture to offer tourists that in a way it is understandable that golf tourism has taken a back-seat. It is not the tourist earner it should be. The Italian climate makes golf possible twelve months of the year, but there seems to be no cohesion between the golf courses and the country’s tourist board to offer this attractive alternative to the thousands of European winter golfers who flood down to Spain and Portugal from October to May every year in ever increasing numbers. And yet, Italy has so much more to offer than any other country in Europe – well documented and standing evidence of its contribution to history, when the Roman Empire governed most of Europe.

Circolo del Golf di Roma

Italy has over a hundred 18-hole courses throughout the country. Although many are simple in design, what they lack technically is more than made up for in beauty. The game is often played in such picturesque surroundings as the rolling Tuscan hills or the marine blue lakes and contrasting mountains to the North and in some cases overlooking the skylines of the country’s impressive cities. One of the real pleasures of playing golf in Italy is the warmth and hospitality with which visitors are made welcome. Après-golf socialising is as much a part as the golfing experience itself and in the Italian clubhouse you can expect to find locally produced foods and wines for which Italy has such an excellent reputation.

Castelgandalfo golf course near Rome

The first course in Italy was laid out in 1903. Circola del Golf di Roma wends its way past Roman ruins and other relics scattered around its landscape. Country Club Castelgandolfo, as a modern day counterpart, is the American golf course designer Trent Jones’ creation.

A view of Tuscany

In Tuscany the golf and country club Poggio del Medici in Scarperia (Florence) is well worth a visit as is Punta Ala and Montecatini Golf and Country Club.

Poggio dei Medici, Scarperia

Punta Ala near Florence

At the other end of the country the first course laid out in Sicily is the Il Picciolo Golf Club in 1989. From here volcano Etna is the great attraction dominating nearly every hole. Le Madonie Golf Resort is a nearby course.

Il Picciolo golf course, Sicily

Le Madonie, Sicily

On the island of Sardinia the 27-hole layout at Is Molas Golf Resort is an attractive holiday destination.

Circolo Golf Is Molas on Sardinia

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